US4572613A - Method and apparatus for illuminating a spot inside of a tunnel of a highway - Google Patents

Method and apparatus for illuminating a spot inside of a tunnel of a highway Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US4572613A
US4572613A US06/616,360 US61636084A US4572613A US 4572613 A US4572613 A US 4572613A US 61636084 A US61636084 A US 61636084A US 4572613 A US4572613 A US 4572613A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
tunnel
optical conductor
illumination
light
entrance portion
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
US06/616,360
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Kei Mori
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US4572613A publication Critical patent/US4572613A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/0001—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
    • G02B6/0005—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being of the fibre type
    • G02B6/001—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being of the fibre type the light being emitted along at least a portion of the lateral surface of the fibre
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S11/00—Non-electric lighting devices or systems using daylight
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21W—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO USES OR APPLICATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS
    • F21W2131/00—Use or application of lighting devices or systems not provided for in codes F21W2102/00-F21W2121/00
    • F21W2131/10—Outdoor lighting
    • F21W2131/101—Outdoor lighting of tunnels or the like, e.g. under bridges
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S385/00—Optical waveguides
    • Y10S385/901—Illuminating or display apparatus

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method for illuminating a spot in a tunnel of a highway, specifically that of illuminating an entrance portion thereof.
  • the driver scans the road surface area from the car to the entrance and judges whether any obstacle exists on the road's surface. Then the driver proceeds while concentrating his line of vision and attention on the dark tunnel. Starting at this point, the center of the driver's line of vision is filled with darkness from inside the tunnel and his visual acuity begins to rapidly decrease.
  • the geographical point at which the driver starts to pay attention to the entrance of the tunnel is called “the beginning attention point”. According to an experiment, when the driver does not need to carefully watch any other obstacles on the road such as other cars, he usually pays attention to the entrance of the tunnel during about 80% of the time interval from the afore-mentioned "beginning attention point".
  • the illumination in the tunnel is weakened gradually in accordance with an increase of distance between the entrance portion of the tunnel and the spot to be illuminated in an inner space thereof. That needs to be changed depending on the open-air brightness condition.
  • illumination starts at a point 10 m from the tunnel entrance in connection with the amount of existing natural light and the brightness of the illumination is controlled in proportion to the open-air brightness.
  • the brightness of the illumination apparatus such as a natrium lamp or the like is controlled in a wider range, its average life span may be shortened causing increased maintenance problems and operating costs.
  • a bundle of solar rays is focused by use of a lens and guided into an optical conductor cable which transmits the resultant light into the internal space of a tunnel.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide an illumination method in which no brightness control is necessary and by which further maintenance costs can be eliminated.
  • Another object of the present invention is to use the light transmitted through the optical conductor cable for illuminating at the entrance portion of the tunnel.
  • the purpose of the present invention is to use a solar ray collecting device which will focus a solar ray and guide it into an optical conductor.
  • FIG. 1 is a graph showing an illumination curve at the entrance portion of the tunnel.
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view for explaining the construction of an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view for explaining a preferred embodiment of the light radiator used in the device.
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the solar ray collecting device 10 shown in FIG. 1 which previously proposed by the present inventor.
  • FIG. 1 shows an illumination curve at the entrance portion of the tunnel.
  • the entrance illumination curve consists of three portions: a boundary portion l 1 , a movement portion l 2 , and a mitigating portion l 3 (l 4 ).
  • the road surface brightness L 1 at the boundary portion, the road surface brightness L 2 at the final spot of the movement portion, the road surface brightness L 3 at the final spot of the mitigating portion, the road surface brightness L 4 at the fundamental portion, etc. are determined in accordance with the length of the tunnel, for example, as shown in Table 1.
  • L 3 and l 3 are applicable to a tunnel of predetermined length only.
  • the brightness of the road surface varies as shown in the dotted line portion of FIG. 1.
  • the value in Table 1 shows the degree of brightness thereon. In the case of open-air brightness of 6000 nt, the respective values in Table 1 will be multiplied by 1.5, and in the case of open-air brightness of 3000 nt, these shall be multiplied by 0.75.
  • the illumination in the tunnel is weakened gradually in accordance with an increase of distance between the entrance portion of the tunnel and the spot to be illuminated in an inner space thereof. That needs to be changed depending on the open-air brightness condition.
  • illumination starts at a location 10 m apart from the tunnel entrance in connection with the amount of natural light and the brightness of the illumination is therefore controlled in proportion to the open-air brightness.
  • the brightness of the illumination apparatus such as a natrium lamp or the like is controlled in a wider range, its average life span may be shortened causing increased maintenance problems and operating costs.
  • the present invention was performed in order to solve the problems mentioned. Specifically, a bundle of solar rays is focused by use of a lens and guided into an optical conductor calbe which transmits the resultant light into the internal space of a tunnel. The light transmitted through the optical conductor cable can be utilized for illumination at the entrance portion of the tunnel. In such a manner, the problems mentioned above can be largely avoided. That is to say, the primary object of the present invention is to provide an illumination method in which no brightness control is necessary and by which further maintenance costs can be eliminated.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates the construction of an embodiment in respect to a method for illuminating a spot in a tunnel according to the present invention.
  • 10 is a solar ray collecting device for focusing a solar ray by the use of a lens and by guiding it into an optical conductor cable.
  • the solar ray guided into the optical conductor cable by the solar ray collecting device is further projected into a tunnel 30 through the optical conductor cable 20.
  • the light is emitted from a light radiator 40 at the entrance portion of the tunnel 30 to be used for illumination inside the tunnel.
  • Illumination at the entrance portion of the tunnel 30 is preferably performed so as to follow the illumination curve distribution as shown in FIG. 1.
  • Various kinds of means for embodying such illumination can be thought up.
  • a plurality of optical conductor cables can be installed on the inner wall-surface of a tunnel a shown in FIG. 2, at a predetermined distance apart and perpendicular to the car's line of motion A. More definitely, those cables are installed in accordance with the distribution (wiring) density which corresponds to the illumination curve shown in FIG. 1.
  • the driver's eyesight may gradually adjust to the darkness in the tunnel when the driver enters it making it safer for driving.
  • the amount of light guided into the optical conductor cable automatically corresponds to the brightness of the open-air at that time, the brightness at the entrance portion of the tunnel will automatically correspond to it.
  • a brightness controlling device as disclosed in the prior art. Consequently it is not necessary to invest much money in equipment for controlling the brightness inside the tunnel.
  • the present applicant has already proposed various kinds of devices called "light radiators".
  • the light may be emitted in the manner shown in FIG. 3.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the light radiator 40 used in the device according to the present invention.
  • 41 is an optical conductor through which a bundle of solar rays are guided as mentioned heretofore.
  • the optical conductor cable 20 consists of many bundles of those optical conductors 41.
  • a notch is formed on the surface of the respective optical conductors 41 as already proposed by the present applicant, or a transparent or semi-transparent material of large refractive index is attached thereto, and the light transmitted through the optical conductor is emitted through such portions outside of it.
  • the optical conductor is very fine, specifically about 0.1 mm to several milimeters in size. Because of that fact, the optical conductor is subject to being destroyed.
  • the optical conductor inserted into the protection tube 42 is used as shown in FIG. 3.
  • the portion of the protection tube's inner peripheral surface is constructed as a reflection surface 43, the light radiates from the light radiator 40 only in one direction. Therefore, when the light radiator is installed on the reflecting surface, as on the wall surface, it may be possible to illuminate the road utilizing the light emitted from the optical conductor.
  • the reflection surface is directed in the same direction as the moving vehicle, the light from the light radiator will not reach the driver's eyes directly so that he will not be hampered by it in any way.
  • the illumination device in which the light radiator is installed on the inner wall surface of a tunnel facing a direction which is perpendicular to the car's direction of movement is explained heretofore. While the present invention has been shown and described in relation to an illumination device placed in a tunnel, such is only illustrative and the present invention can be applied to various other devices as well. Therefore, the present invention is not limited only to the above-mentioned embodiment.
  • the illumination device may be installed in parallel with the car's progressing motion. In such a case, by changing the length of the optical conductor, the entire illumination distribution may be changed in order to satisfy the illumination curve shown in FIG. 1.
  • Another example is one in which a bundle of optical conductor cables is untied and the light is emitted from the outer peripheral surface of the respective optical conductors for the purpose of illuminating the tunnel as explained heretofore. It is not always necessary to until the bundle of optical conductor cables. For instance, the light may be emitted directly from the edge surfaces of the optical conductor cables for illuminating the tunnel. Even though the bundle of optical conductor cables is untied, it is not always necessary to emit the light from the outer peripheral surfaces. Furthermore, the illumination curve, as shown in FIG. 1, can also be obtained by distributing evenly the light-emitting edges of the respective optical conductors.
  • a solar ray illuminates the road surface at the entrance portion of a tunnel is explained hereafter.
  • At least the fundamental lighting of the road's surface can be done by means of artificial light.
  • a solar ray cannot be utilized, for example at night, it may be possible to illuminate the road's surface by using an artificial light source.
  • the light radiated from the optical conductor may directly enter the driver's eyes and cause brightness on the wall surfaces of a tunnel and/or on the road surface by the use of radiated light. In such a case, it is not necessary to form a reflecting surface in the afore-mentioned tube 42. If the light radiator constructed in such a manner is dispersingly installed on the wall surface and/or the road surface at the entrance portion of the tunnel the desired light-distributing curve can be obtained.
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the solar ray collecting device 10 shown in FIG. 1.
  • a cylindrical foundation (2) a transparent dome-shaped head; and (3) capsule constructed with those elements appropriate for use in the solar ray collecting device 10 is accommodated in the capsule 3 as is shown in FIG. 4.
  • the solar ray collecting device 10 contains one or more lenses 11 (for example, 7 or 19) for focusing the sun's rays; a solar ray direction sensor 12 for detecting the direction of the sun; a supporting frame 13 for unitarily supporting the lenses and the sensor; a first rotating shaft (not shown) for rotatably moving the support frame 13; a first motor 15 for rotating the first rotating shaft; a supporting arm 16 for supporting the lenses 11; the sensor 12, the frame 13, the first rotating shaft and the motor 15; a second rotating shaft 17, arranged so as to cross perpendicularly to the first rotating shaft and a second motor (not shown) for rotating the second rotating shaft 17.
  • lenses 11 for example, 7 or 19
  • a solar ray direction sensor 12 for detecting the direction of the sun
  • a supporting frame 13 for unitarily supporting the lenses and the sensor
  • a first rotating shaft (not shown) for rotatably moving the support frame 13
  • a first motor 15 for rotating the first rotating shaft
  • a supporting arm 16 for supporting the lenses 11
  • the solar ray direction sensor 12 detects the direction of the sun and produces a detection signal which controls the afore-mentioned motors so as to always direct the lens (or lenses) 11 toward the direction of the sun.
  • the solar rays focused by the lens 11 are guided into an optical conductor cable 20 (as shown in FIG. 1), the light-receiving edge of which is arranged at the focal position of the lens 11, and transmitted to the optional desired position through the optical conductor cable 20.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Road Signs Or Road Markings (AREA)
  • Circuit Arrangement For Electric Light Sources In General (AREA)
  • Non-Portable Lighting Devices Or Systems Thereof (AREA)
US06/616,360 1983-06-06 1984-06-01 Method and apparatus for illuminating a spot inside of a tunnel of a highway Expired - Fee Related US4572613A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP58100518A JPS59226403A (ja) 1983-06-06 1983-06-06 高速道路のトンネル内照明装置
JP58-100518 1983-06-06

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US4572613A true US4572613A (en) 1986-02-25

Family

ID=14276169

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US06/616,360 Expired - Fee Related US4572613A (en) 1983-06-06 1984-06-01 Method and apparatus for illuminating a spot inside of a tunnel of a highway

Country Status (9)

Country Link
US (1) US4572613A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
EP (1) EP0127900B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
JP (1) JPS59226403A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
KR (2) KR850000636A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
AU (1) AU560625B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
CA (1) CA1222494A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DE (1) DE3473915D1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
HK (1) HK26189A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
SG (1) SG89088G (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20040113815A1 (en) * 2002-12-17 2004-06-17 Newcomer Ronald E. Vehicle positioning device
US20040111901A1 (en) * 2002-12-17 2004-06-17 Newcomer Ronald E. Laser device for guiding a vehicle
US8184372B1 (en) 2008-09-04 2012-05-22 Bingwu Gu Low numerical aperture (low-NA) solar lighting system
CN105841044A (zh) * 2016-06-07 2016-08-10 钱宏毅 用于道路或隧道的发光反光装置
CN109519789A (zh) * 2018-12-19 2019-03-26 江西苏洋太阳能科技有限公司 适用于隧道入口的自旋转式亮度调节照明设备
CN113464893A (zh) * 2021-07-14 2021-10-01 招商局重庆交通科研设计院有限公司 一种具有无影功能的隧道太阳光投射照明的路侧安装方法

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH0471103A (ja) * 1990-07-10 1992-03-05 Takayoshi Hirata トンネル照明設備
IT1252895B (it) * 1991-11-05 1995-07-05 Pro Co Gen Progettazioni E Cos Impianto di illuminazione per gallerie autostradali
KR100699275B1 (ko) * 2007-01-12 2007-03-23 (주)신도컨설탄트 광섬유를 이용한 터널 조명장치
CN100451281C (zh) * 2007-01-24 2009-01-14 易继先 设置在公路隧道口处的减光棚
CN111561327A (zh) * 2018-08-22 2020-08-21 深圳朴方环保发展有限公司 一种阳光隧道
CN109724043B (zh) * 2018-11-29 2020-06-30 重庆交通大学 基于等效照明的公路隧道洞口调光系统

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4297000A (en) * 1979-01-11 1981-10-27 Fries James E Solar lighting system
US4302069A (en) * 1977-09-06 1981-11-24 Niemi Gary A Illumination system and apparatus therefor
US4411490A (en) * 1980-08-18 1983-10-25 Maurice Daniel Apparatus for collecting, distributing and utilizing solar radiation

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR1459025A (fr) * 1965-08-11 1966-04-29 Paralumes à réflexions dirigées
FR2359365A1 (fr) * 1976-07-20 1978-02-17 Berna Henri Claude Dispositif optique permettant l'eclairement solaire de locaux fermes
US4120024A (en) * 1976-10-18 1978-10-10 Julian Borisovich Aizenberg Lighting installation
JPS5810702A (ja) * 1981-07-13 1983-01-21 Takashi Mori 光ラジエ−タ

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4302069A (en) * 1977-09-06 1981-11-24 Niemi Gary A Illumination system and apparatus therefor
US4297000A (en) * 1979-01-11 1981-10-27 Fries James E Solar lighting system
US4411490A (en) * 1980-08-18 1983-10-25 Maurice Daniel Apparatus for collecting, distributing and utilizing solar radiation

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20040113815A1 (en) * 2002-12-17 2004-06-17 Newcomer Ronald E. Vehicle positioning device
US20040111901A1 (en) * 2002-12-17 2004-06-17 Newcomer Ronald E. Laser device for guiding a vehicle
US6772525B2 (en) 2002-12-17 2004-08-10 Ronald E. Newcomer Laser device for guiding a vehicle
US6853313B2 (en) 2002-12-17 2005-02-08 Ronald E. Newcomer Vehicle positioning device
US8184372B1 (en) 2008-09-04 2012-05-22 Bingwu Gu Low numerical aperture (low-NA) solar lighting system
US8410351B1 (en) 2008-09-04 2013-04-02 Bingwu Gu Concentrated photovoltaic and solar heating system
US8513515B1 (en) 2008-09-04 2013-08-20 Bingwu Gu Generating alternating current from concentrated sunlight
CN105841044A (zh) * 2016-06-07 2016-08-10 钱宏毅 用于道路或隧道的发光反光装置
CN109519789A (zh) * 2018-12-19 2019-03-26 江西苏洋太阳能科技有限公司 适用于隧道入口的自旋转式亮度调节照明设备
CN109519789B (zh) * 2018-12-19 2024-04-19 江苏润洋鸿太阳能科技有限公司 适用于隧道入口的自旋转式亮度调节照明设备
CN113464893A (zh) * 2021-07-14 2021-10-01 招商局重庆交通科研设计院有限公司 一种具有无影功能的隧道太阳光投射照明的路侧安装方法
CN113464893B (zh) * 2021-07-14 2022-11-18 招商局重庆交通科研设计院有限公司 一种具有无影功能的隧道太阳光投射照明的路侧安装方法

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2906284A (en) 1984-12-13
DE3473915D1 (en) 1988-10-13
KR850000636A (ko) 1985-02-28
AU560625B2 (en) 1987-04-09
EP0127900A1 (en) 1984-12-12
KR910008373U (ko) 1991-05-31
HK26189A (en) 1989-04-07
KR900001115Y1 (ko) 1990-02-17
SG89088G (en) 1989-06-16
JPS6348121B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1988-09-27
EP0127900B1 (en) 1988-09-07
JPS59226403A (ja) 1984-12-19
CA1222494A (en) 1987-06-02

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4572613A (en) Method and apparatus for illuminating a spot inside of a tunnel of a highway
US7347595B2 (en) Method of providing modulated illumination of a road, and a vehicle headlight for performing the said method
US5837994C1 (en) Control system to automatically dim vehicle head lamps
US4768135A (en) Headlight arrangement for vehicles
KR100275143B1 (ko) 기판 상에 있는 표시부를 식별하기 위한 광학식 문자 인식용 조명 시스템
US5436806A (en) Illumination device
US5697690A (en) Illuminating device for vehicles
EP0340735A2 (en) Headlight apparatus for automotive vehicle
EP0721085B1 (en) A headlamp for a vehicle
US5730519A (en) Headlight for vehicle
US10507759B2 (en) Adaptive lighting system for an automobile vehicle
US20040022071A1 (en) Optical energy collection system to provide economical light source
NL8902418A (nl) Lichtradiator.
US5535021A (en) Scanner light diffuser
JPH08339704A (ja) 車両用灯具装置
US5615090A (en) Headlight for vehicle
JPS5821361B2 (ja) 車輌用灯具
EP0866438B1 (en) Road sign
EP0786622A1 (en) Headlamp with complex reflector
JPH10232997A (ja) 信号灯
JP2594362Y2 (ja) 光ファイバ照明装置
JPH0471103A (ja) トンネル照明設備
CA2354093A1 (en) Control system to automatically dim vehicle head lamps
JPH05290603A (ja) 配光制御可能な前照灯装置
KR20200001003A (ko) 터널 내부의 자연채광용 플라스틱 광섬유와 이를 이용한 터널용 조명장치

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
FEPP Fee payment procedure

Free format text: PAYOR NUMBER ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: ASPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: SMALL ENTITY

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 4

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 8

REMI Maintenance fee reminder mailed
LAPS Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees
FP Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee

Effective date: 19980225

STCH Information on status: patent discontinuation

Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362